The Creativity of Netflix: a List of All Netflix Original Series

Truthfully, it’s hard to make a list for this category, as what really constitutes as an original or an exclusive? A lot of Netflix Originals are offshoots of preexisting content. Or they might also be only airing in one country on actual television, only to have Netflix give them mass appeal on their streaming service. We editorialized a bit below to determine what belongs on this list, feel free to disagree in the comments!

Updated 12/5/2014 – Marco Polo is only a week away!

Updated 12/22/2014 – All Hail King Julien is available for all to watch!

Below, we explain the originality of each series, source material and other fun tidbits about each show in the order of which they were released on Netflix:

Lilyhammer

Is this a remake or based on other material?: No, this is an original series

Lilyhammer fell mostly on deaf ears in the United States on it’s release date. With a cult following, especially in it’s host country of Norway, the series certainly has plenty of reason to come back for a second season on Instant Stream, and Netflix has announced it’s intentions to release season two here in the near future; but with no date set.

House of Cards

Is this a remake or based on other material?: Yes, a UK television series of the same name

The Problem Solverz

Is this a remake or based on other material?: Yes, an earlier aired television show of the same name and cast

The Problem Solverz released on Cartoon Network after an animated short garnished viewership back in 2006. In 2011, Cartoon Network agreed to air the show, only after negotiations to turn it from an “Adult Swim” themed show into a more trimmed down regular CN cartoon. Season two was then produced but never aired. Netflix then soon picked up the second season and released it exclusively.

Bad Samaritans

Is this a remake or based on other material?: No, this is an original series

Of almost all the Netflix originals, Bad Samaritans is the one you most likely didn’t know about, but at only five episodes running 30 minutes each, it’s definitely a quick and dirty viewing to see if it’s up your alley. We think it shows promise and are looking forward to future developments in this comedy series.

Hemlock Grove

Is this a remake or based on other material?: Yes, a horror/thriller book of the same name by Brian McGreevy

Hemlock Grove, produced by one of the best recent horrormen, Eli Roth, suffered the “released around the same time as Arrested Development” fate. Most people talking about original content on Netflix were screaming about the impending release of Arrested Development’s fourth season.

Don’t be too quick to pass on Hemlock Grove; while it hasn’t attracted much praise from critics, it is signed for a second season, implying there is a decent fan following. It has also been nominated for two Emmy awards in 2013.

Arrested Development

Is this a remake or based on other material?: Yes, an earlier aired television show of the same name and cast

Orange is the New Black

Is this a remake or based on other material?: Yes, a drama/comedy memior of the same name by Piper Kerman

Had OITNB released a few months earlier around the time of House of Cards and Arrested Development, we guarantee it would have quickly found itself in the running for multiple Emmy nominations itself. Orange is the New Black has quickly amassed a loyal following and will be back for a second season

BoJack Horseman

Is this a remake or based on other material? No, this is an original series

BoJack Horseman follows BoJack the horseman as he adventures life in a post-celebrity world. A washed up 90s sitcom character, BoJack follows the once famous character through his… less than ideal existence. For fans of shows like Archer and King of the Hill, the comedy and animation stlyes will likely be right up your alley.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Is this a remake or based on other material? Yes, season six was a continuation of the original Clone Wars cartoon

Star Wars The Clone Wars is a CGI animation following the Attack of the Clones movie. As the series announced it would be winding down from airing on Cartoon Network, Netflix agreed to pick up the slack for the final sixth season, which released in early 2014.

Trailer Park Boys

Is this a remake or based on other material? Yes, a television series that had multiple seasons before Netflix created season eight and nine

The Canadian mocumentary had several great seasons before Netflix picked up the rights to create and distribute episode eight and nine as exclusives. Arguably the raunchiest show on Netflix, the series has seen massive popularity since streaming. The show leaves nothing sacred and certainly isn’t for everyone, but if you can handle raunchy comedy, Trailer Park Boys is definitely worth checking out.

Peaky Blinders

Is this a remake or based on other material? Yes, a television series that aired in the UK, Netflix bought US distribution rights

Peaky Blinders has a relatively funny premise. A group of criminals who sew razor blades into their hats. Led by the categorically criminal Tommy Shelby as he moves up through the ranks and avoids detection by the Birmingham police. This show is classically “British” but we thought it was certainly enjoyable. You’ll get a great feel for the show after the first episode and know whether or not you should continue.

Marco Polo

Is this a remake or based on other material? No, this is an original Netflix series (ok, except for the historical context)

Marco Polo is Netflix’s largest original series to-date, with a price tag over 90 million dollars. But the money was well spent as the cinematography is nearly perfect. Netflix clearly spared no expense on this release. While the dialogue can be a bit cliche (read: over the top) at times, this is still a great series. Ignore the comparisons to Game of Thrones, these aren’t really fair.

All Hail King Julien

Is this a remake or based on other material? Yes, All Hail King Julien is based on the characters from Dreamworks’ Madagascar

With Netflix attempting to branch out more of their content to a youthful audience, they made an agreement with Dreamworks to produce over 300 hours of original content for the streaming service. Based on the characters from Madagascar, All Hail King Julien takes place before the adventure of the feature film. The critical reception has been very positive, and even as adults, we are enjoying the series and can’t wait for more.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Is this a remake or based on other material? This is an original series originally intended for release on NBC, but picked up by Netflix in 2015 for two seasons.

Fans of 30 Rock will love this latest brainchild of Tina Fey, starring Ellie Kemper (best known for her role as Erin Hannon in The Office) and Jane Krakowski. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a lighthearted comedy series about a woman rescued from a doomsday cult that had kept her trapped in an underground bunker for the past 15 years.

Bloodline

Is this a remake or based on other material? No, this is a Netflix original series.

Bloodline is Netflix’s latest original series, released in full on March 20, 2015. This episodic thriller launched to overwhelmingly positive reviews, with critics claiming the top “Netflix Original” spot for Bloodline. On March 30, it was picked up for a second season to launch in 2016.

The story follows the Rayburns, a successful family that runs a Florida Keys inn. The show opens when “black sheep” son Danny returns, and brings all sorts of trouble with him. The first season offers plenty of drama that’s well worth a session or two of binge watching.

Netflix originals are usually pretty darn good. I LOVED Hemlock Grove and Orange is the New Black! But I also love the concept of resurrecting canceled shows and making new episodes. Firefly, V, Lucky 7, and Jericho would be great candidates ^_^!

P.S. Being a fan of the show Firefly has nothing to do with my name XD.

Thank you Netflix!!! Not only did you bring back Arrested Development, you have signed on great new series, such as, Orange is the new black and house of cards. If I could quickly as for a small favor and consider (if the whole cast is willing) signing on for Firefly. Yes,I know it has been off the air for quit a few years and they made the movie Serenity. That show was amazing and only because of the ratings did it not succeed. But now with Netflix’ fan base and the amazing people who are now watching these type of shows, I do believe this show could come back and be a hit again. Please consider!!!
Your loyal fan**

I am addicted to almost all of Netflix series. I could not wait to watch the final season of The Killing. I finished it the second day it came out. Orange is the new Black is so funny. I got everyone in my house watching Netflix series and other people ordering Netflix cause I talk about it so much. Keep up the good work.

Started watching The Killing today, all I can say is WOW! The best shows on TV aren’t on TV they’re on NETFLIX.

On another note, I’m part of the demographic A&E doesn’t care about or want since I’m 66 years old, which is the reason they dropped one of their highest rated shows “Longmire”, plenty of viewers but just too damn old for A&E. I read the owners of show are trying to negotiate a deal with NETFLIX, I do hope you can reach an agreement, it would really please this old man and the other 3.5million “Longmire” fan A&E doesn’t care about. Oh and while you’re at it how about picking up “The Glades” or at least doing a special to give closure to the fans that were left hanging at the end of season 4. Not sure why A&E canceled, probably demographics again. By the way my wife,also of the same demographic, and I have vowed never to watch anything on A&E ever again.
Thanks,
Michael B from Dallas, Texas

Netflix should bring back the best things network TV missed. Quickly canceled programming like The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Firefly would be HUGE hits on Netflix and would scavenge viewers away from primetime.

I’ma long time subscriber and didn’t think the Netflix original series would be worth watching, but once I watch a first episode of any show I can’t stop watching and discover the shows to be better than commercial paid TV. Maybe it’s the absence of the annoying commercials? LOL 😀

I am a senior citizen and as well as the other programs listed I just want to give a little input. I love the show Gilmore Girls and I am glad that Netflix is showing it. It gives me memories of sitting here with my daughter watching this series and we could sit and say “thats us”. It is a warm cozy feeling. Some of us just want good clean fun programs. One that I particularly love is Roswell. It is funny innocent and a bit quirky. I know Roswell still has a following and would love to see where they are now as adults and hopefully still happy. In this day and age we need more feel good programs. There are so many dark program out there to choose from. But things like Roswell I believe would be welcomed because of the contrast to the norm of todays programming. I want to see Liz and Max along with Michael and Maria still having fun avoiding being found out. Even sheriff Valenti would be a great addition. Maybe they have even moved back to Roswell and settled down with a few kids in the mix. Kind of reminiscent of Bewitched where the parents are having to be careful to hide the family secrets. Again this is from a senior citizen wishing some of our programming could again be good clean fun with a bit of suspense.

I enjoyed watching Orange is the New Black, Wentworth, Hemlock Groves, Continuum, House of Cards, The Following, and even Doc Martin. These are just a few a my favorite series I enjoy watching. I am just waiting for any new seasons to be coming on on them.